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September 7, 2009

Adults sliding with child on lap risky

by Sam Savage

Almost 14 percent of children's tibia fractures are sustained while sliding down a slide on an adult's lap, a U.S. researcher found.

Dr. John Gaffney, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatrics in Cedar Knolls, N.J., says many parents think it is actually safer to hold their toddler while going down a playground slide, but this study may prove otherwise.

The study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Orethopaedics, found all tibia fractures associated with playing on a slide were sustained while going down the slide on the lap of an adult or older sibling.

Although going down the slide with a child on your lap may seem like an enjoyable moment for both, it can be putting them in danger, Gaffney said in a statement. As a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon I want to prevent injuries, not just treat them, and if we can prevent just one toddler from sustaining a leg fracture, we are doing our job.